Residents of Sierra Leone, both citizens and non-citizens, have been given until December 30, 2024, to obtain their National, Non-National, or ECOWAS Identification Cards, according to a joint announcement by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Sierra Leone Police, and the Office of National Security.

Effective January 2025, the country’s Security Sector will begin rigorous ID card verification at community levels and security checkpoints nationwide.

The move is part of efforts to ensure compliance with legislation linking access to essential services to the possession of a National Identification Number (NIN) or ID card. Heads of state institutions have been instructed to enforce compliance, ensuring individuals present valid IDs to access services, including:

  • Financial transactions (banks, forex bureaus, insurance, etc.).
  • Vehicle registration and licensing.
  • Recruitment into public and private sectors.
  • Enrolment with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT).
  • Land and property registration.
  • School enrolment and registration for public exams.
  • SIM card registration.
  • Vital events registration, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces.
  • Immigration services, including work and resident permits.
  • Business registration and incorporation.

The NCRA has called on the public to visit any of its offices or centers nationwide to obtain their ID cards promptly, emphasizing that National and Non-National ID Cards are mandatory, while the ECOWAS card remains optional.

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Foreign residents are urged to secure their Non-National ID Cards as stipulated by law. The NCRA and the Security Sector will collaborate on ensuring consistent and reliable identification across the country.

Officials reiterate that the ID card, with its unique identification number, is the primary and legally mandated form of personal identification in Sierra Leone.

Failure to comply may result in restricted access to essential services and increased scrutiny at checkpoints.